In what ways might infertility influence emotional health
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Reproductive Technology In the 21st Century
James and Lucille
James and Lucille met at a holiday party, and it was love at first sight. After four years of marriage, during which the two co-parented James’ two sons from his first marriage, the couple decides that they would like to expand their family by having a biological child together. A year goes by, and they have not been able to conceive; the two become concerned.
Lucille schedules an appointment with her primary care physician to discuss her situation. She is subsequently referred to an infertility specialist (specifically a reproductive endocrinologist or “RE”). The couple meets with the specialist, who ultimately determines that the following factors are preventing the couple from achieving pregnancy (see common cause of infertility and male factor infertility):
James, who underwent a vasectomy reversal in the previous year, is now making antibodies to his own sperm. But, according to the RE, should the couple decide to undergo infertility treatment, this is something that could be overcome with the use of an enzyme that halts the action of the antibodies.
Lucille has extensive endometriosis, which her RE indicates will need to be addressed before proceeding with infertility treatment. Six months go by, during which time Lucille’s endometriosis is treated, and she is now ready to attempt conception. On the advice of the RE, the couple decides to undergo in artificial insemination (also referred to as intrauterine insemination (IUI)). After three unsuccessful attempts with IUI, the couple, in consultation with their RE, makes a decision to undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF). Five years later, during their fourth IVF cycle, the couple learns that Lucille is now pregnant, and 39 weeks later, the couple’s third son makes his entrance into the world.
Your Task:
After reading the materials provided in this section and in the background readings for this module, please address the following questions in a 1 page paper:
1. In what ways might infertility influence emotional health? In what ways might it affect overall physical health?
2. How might Lucille’s general practitioner support the couple as they undergo infertility treatment?
3. With what, if any, infertility-related resources should the couple’s general practitioner be familiar? Why?
4. What are some of the key infertility treatment options/procedures with which James’ and Lucille’s primary care providers should be familiar? Why?
Case Assignment Expectations:
After reading the background materials for this assignment and visiting the links that appear in the case, write a paper in which you provide your responses to the specific questions that I have posed above.
LENGTH: 1 page
Required reading :
http://asrm.org/topics/index.aspx?id=59
http://www.fertilityneighborhood.com/content/understanding_infertility/default.aspx